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Committee of the Whole

1. If it be necessary to go into committee of the whole society, either for a general or specific purpose, it is done by motion, when the chairman vacates the chair, and calls some member to it, to act as chairman; though the committee of the whole, if it chooses, can select another chairman like any other committee. This it never does.

The quorum of the committee is the same as that of the main body. If a quorum be found wanting, the committee has to rise, the regular chairman takes his seat, and the chairman of the committee informs him that the committee rises for want of a quorum. Then the usual course is taken in regard to the absence of a quorum.

2. If any communication be made to the main body while in committee of the whole, the committee cannot receive it. If its reception be necessary, the committee have to rise. 3. If there be confusion or disturbance in committee of the whole, the president may take the chair, declare the committee dissolved, and reduce the body to order. In that case it requires another motion for that committee to sit again.

4. A committee of the whole cannot adjourn, but it must rise. It cannot take the previous question, nor take the ayes and noes.

5. If the business before the committee of the whole be unfinished, it rises on motion, the regular presiding officer takes the chair, and the chairman of the committee reports that the committee of the whole have, according to order, considered the business assigned to them, and have made progress therein, but, not having time to conclude the same, ask leave to sit again. Leave is then granted on motion. If the subject be a special one, and it is concluded, the motion is that the committee rise and report proceedings; then, when the president takes the chair, the chairman of the committee reports that the committee have gone through the business referred to them, and ask leave to report. Leave is then given to report then, or at some other time, either by motion, or should there be no objection, on the call of some member.

6. In committee, members may speak oftener than once on the same subject, and are not confined strictly to the subject-matter. With these and the foregoing exceptions, the same rules of order govern the committee of the whole as govern the main body.

7. A motion to rise and report progress is in order at any stage of the business, and is to be decided without debate. When they have reported, they may be discharged on motion, which brings the matter laid before them directly before the association itself. COMMITMENT.

1. If it be desired to refer a resolution, address or other matter to a committee, it is done on motion. If to a special committee, the chair names the committee. Any member present may suggest one member on that committee, and if the main body do not object the chair will name him, since the silence of members in that case is equivalent to a direct appointment of that person by the association. But such a course is unusual, and generally improper.

2. Though the majority on a committee should be favorable to a measure, the minority may be of those who are opposed to it in some particulars. But those totally opposed to it should never be appointed; and if any one of that view be named, he should rise and state the fact, when the main body will excuse him from serving.

3. If it be a written matter which is referred, the secretary delivers it to the first named of the committee.

4. A committee meets when and where it pleases, unless the time and place is fixed for it. But it cannot act unless its members assemble together.

5. The committee cannot change the title or subject of the matter before it, but otherwise have full power over it. 6. If it be a written matter before it, if it originate with the committee, the writing must be considered paragraph by paragraph, and the question put on each. After each paragraph is approved or amended, it is then considered as a whole. If it has been referred, the committee only report the amendments they recommend separately; as they have no right to amend a paper belonging to the main body.

7. When the committee is through, some member moves that it rise, and report the matter to the main body, with or without amendments, as the case may be.